Hulk! #24
The Man Who Would Be President
The Hulk is stalking around a hydroelectric dam enjoying the quiet. Searching for a good spot to find food and a place to sleep, the Hulk comes across a Cherokee chief named John. The Hulk is surprised when the Native American does not run away. John explains that his people have been forced to move from place to place thanks to the white settlers on his land, now he refuses to move anymore. They are one the land that is the ancient burial ground of the Cherokees and even though it's scheduled to be flooded when the dam goes into operations, John refuses to leave. Suddenly they are attacked by soldiers who are under orders of Governor Carl Carruthers a presidential hopeful who operates under the banner of "Carruthers Cares". On top of trying to capture the Hulk, he is also a vocal opponent of the dam. However, all of these initiatives are merely for political reasons.
The Hulk shield's John's body from the initial onslaught, however, the elderly man is horrified that his ancestral burial ground is being turned into a war zone and begs the soldiers to stop. Weakened a gas attack, the Hulk's strength is beginning to wane. John places a necklace around the Hulk's neck and suggests that he hide. The Hulk follows this suggestion, hiding himself under some massive rocks. As the soldiers search in vein for the Hulk, the gamma-spawned brute reverts back to Bruce Banner. Meanwhile, Governer Carruthers has a use for John and has him brought to him. When Banner finally gets himself free from under the rocks he is exhausted and passes out, only to be found by a local Amish group. While, this is happening, Carruthers speaks to the media about the people protesting the dam, and gives them his full support.
Bruce Banner wakes up in the Amish village and is welcomed by most, except for Wiseman Klaggart, who is suspicious of the stranger. However, they decide to allow him into their secular community because he wears a necklace made by Chief John. While Banner struggles to remember what brought him here, Chief John is brought before Governor Carruthers. Carruthers tells he supports John's protest of the dam and offers his secret assistance, telling him that if he rallies the protesters he can have them reflected in a good light. John is unaware that he is being manipulated for Carruthers' political gain.
Back at the Amish village, the National Guard shows up to order the people there to evacuate. Wiseman Klaggart protests this. Banner manages to talk him down, that violence would only beget more violence and only protest will help them win out. They soon ride out to the dam where they are accosted by the press until they meet up with the other protesters. Seeing Old John among the protestors, Banner finally remembers what happened and decides that the only way he can diffuse the situation is to turn himself in. Bruce surrenders to the National Guard and is soon brought to Governor Carruthers office. He then brings Banner and Old John to the inside of the dam where he explains that he is going to cause an explosion to validate the "danger" of the dam. When both men protest this, Carruthers strikes Banner of the head and leaves the two men to die inside of the dam.
With the bomb about to go off, Banner tries to guide John on how to disarm the bomb, but the Native American is unfamiliar with the machines. With time running out, Banner gives into his panic and turns into the Hulk again. With the bomb disarmed, they are too late to stop the flooding of the dam. The Hulk tries to get John out of the rapidly flooding facility, but the Nartive American drowns. The Hulk pulls the body to freedom none-the-less. Having reverted back to Bruce Banner, Banner confronts Carruthers in front of the press, exposing his entire scheme and ruining his political career with a flury of words and punches. Utterly disgusted, Banner walks off, leaving Carruther to deal with the shambles.
Recurring Characters
Hulk
Continuity Notes
The location of this story is vague, however given the date this story was published. It is likely in the state of Virginia based on the following: It's a state that has both a Cherokee and Amish population. This story was published in 1980. At the time the only dam that was under construction at the time was Bath County Pumped Storage Station which began construction in 1977 and was completed in 1984. It's construction drew controversy and protest at the time.
That said, mentions of Three Mile Island and an upcoming Presidential Election should be considered topical references per the Sliding Timescale of Earth-616.
The Tiny Terror Tumble
New York City, 1937
As part of his promotional deal with Ferdely's Milk, Dominic Fortune has appeared on a radio show with child actor Tina Timmons, much to his chagrin as he is not a fan of the young starlet or her singing. In the middle of the radio broadcast, a man named Percy tries to rush Tina from the stage. Dominic steps in and easily knocks out the man who is turned over to police. Percy warns Tina and her manager Lew that he has a secret to tell. The two decide that Percy needs to be silenced.
As it turns out, Tina is a little person who was once part of a circus side show. After getting surgery to make herself look like a child, Timmons set herself up as a phony child actor. With their cover about to be blown, they decide to hire Dominic Fortune as part of a scheme to eliminate Percy. Unaware that he is being played, Dominic accepts the job and is soon tipped off to Percy's location, an abandoned warehouse in Brooklyn.
Dominic tells Sabbeth to wait outside while he goes in, but his companion doesn't listen. She gets in before Dominic and witnesses as Lew sets up Percy by giving him a pipe that resembles a gun in the darkness. When Dominic enters the room, he's led to believe that Percy is armed, and is about to make a kill shot when Sabbath exposes the ruse. After a brief scuffle, Percy fill Dominic in about the truth. What's more, at one time Tina was married to Percy before she abandoned her with her claim to fame.
Dominic crashes Tina's apartment where her new beau tries to fight him off. However, Fortune proves to be the better fighter and knocks him out. That's when the police arrive to arrest Tina for fraud and attempted murder.
Recurring Characters
Dominic Fortune, Sabbath Raven
